Justices Pollack and Wilson concurring in part, dissenting in part opinion can be read here.

Supreme Court Approves Thirty Meter Telescope. The ruling says the state Board of Land and Natural Resources properly granted a conservation district permit for Mauna Kea. Civil Beat.

After facing years of setbacks from protests and legal challenges, the Thirty Meter Telescope cleared its last major hurdle Tuesday before the Hawaii Supreme Court. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Supreme Court rules in favor of Thirty Meter Telescope. The Hawaii Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of the state Board of Land and Natural Resources' decision to issue a conservation district use permit for construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on the Big Island’s Mauna Kea. Pacific Business News.

The Hawaii Supreme Court has ruled in favor the Thirty Meter Telescope permit, paving the way for the $1.4 billion observatory to build on Mauna Kea. Big Island Video News.

After years of legal wrangling and protests, the Thirty Meter Telescope got a green light Tuesday from the state Supreme Court. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Supreme Court issues ruling allowing TMT to be built on Mauna Kea. The Hawaii Supreme Court has affirmed the state Board of Land and Natural Resources’ decision to issue a Conservation District Use Permit for construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. KHON2.

The Thirty Meter Telescope may be headed for another Mauna Kea showdown after the state Supreme Court ruled in favor of the $1.4 billion project Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

State and county officials led by Lt. Gov. Doug Chin have done extensive planning in recent years to prepare for the possibility of widespread protests in connection with the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope, and at least some of those plans may involve the use of Hawaii National Guard equipment, according to sources familiar with the preparations. Star-Advertiser.

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Tupola says she told Kerns of debate; Kerns denies it. Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Marissa Kerns said she didn’t attend a televised debate on Monday night because her running mate, Republican gubernatorial candidate Andria Tupola, deliberately failed to inform her that she had been invited. Star-Advertiser.

Republican candidate for lieutenant governor accuses running mate of ‘sabotaging’ campaign. The war of words comes just seven days before the general election. Hawaii News Now.

Candidate claims she wasn't invited to final TV debate. At the KITV 4 gubernatorial debate, we invited Republican and democratic candidates for governor and Lt. Governor, but not all of them showed up. KITV.

Ige Has Raised And Spent Three Times As Much Campaign Cash As Tupola. The Democrat incumbent is financially dominating his Republican challenger in the Hawaii governor race. Civil Beat.

Unions spend heavily against ConCon. Preserve Our Hawaii, a powerful coalition funded heavily by local unions, has spent more than $600,000 in recent weeks on advertising urging residents to vote “no” in the general election on whether to hold a state constitutional convention, campaign spending reports show. Star-Advertiser.

What A New Hawaii ConCon Might Look Like. The Hawaiian renaissance ensured the 1978 constitutional convention would enshrine indigenous rights. A lot has changed since then. Civil Beat.

Akaka, Kiaaina share unique connection as they compete for OHA’s Oahu seat. Both candidates have a close connection to late Senator Daniel Akaka. Hawaii News Now.

The use of vacation rental homes by visitors from Hawaii’s main tourism markets rose in September as hotel use declined, according to data released Tuesday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pacific Business News.

Will Kiosks and Robots Replace Hotel Workers? Striking hotel workers in Hawaii and elsewhere, fearful of losing jobs, want a seat at the table as management rolls out disruptive technology. Civil Beat.

New Guidelines for Rat Lungworm Disease. Two doctors from the UH medical Scholl’s department of Tropical Medicine. Doctors Vernon Ansdell and Gerald Murphy will showcase efforts to deal with Rat Lungworm Disease on a national stage. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Remembering Marine Biology Giant Ruth Gates. Ruth Gates lost her battle with brain cancer last week. She was the director of the Hawaii Institute of Biology and was a champion of coral reefs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pioneering coral reef scientist Ruth Gates, who dedicated much of her career to saving the world’s fragile and deteriorating underwater reef ecosystems, has died. She was 56. Associated Press.

Ruth Gates, trailblazer in coral reef research, died October 25 after being diagnosed with brain cancer in May, but Hawaii officials and environmentalists say her legacy will live on. Garden Island.

Oahu

Council commits city funds to pay $44M for rail project. The Honolulu City Council on Tuesday approved a measure that allowed, for the first time, money from the city’s general fund to be used to finance the rail. Star-Advertiser.

Rail moves over its latest hurdle as City Council passes key funding bill. The Honolulu City Council voted 7-2 Tuesday to approve a key rail funding bill, in a move to appease demands by the federal government. Hawaii News Now.

Public input sought for Ward Village elevated walkways over main streets. Ward Village’s developer is seeking public input on the design of elevated walkways that would connect a central plaza in the neighborhood to a planned rail station, Ala Moana Beach Park and future condominium towers. Star-Advertiser.

Trace levels of a chemical detected in west Oahu water well. The water remains safe to drink. The Waipahu Wells IV found trace levels of 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), which is a soil fumigant and nematicide used in pineapple farming, in the water. Hawaii News Now.Hawaii Island

Council Finalists Talk About Homelessness And Housing. Rebecca Villegas and Kelly Drysdale are facing off to represent a district where many workers cannot afford to live. Civil Beat.

County urged to reopen Hwy 132. Puna Councilwoman Eileen O’Hara will introduce a resolution during a County Council meeting Thursday, urging the county to reopen Highway 132 and develop additional alternative routes. Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea Volcano is not erupting, however Mayor Harry Kim has nevertheless signed a Fifth Supplementary Emergency Proclamation, extending the state of emergency until December 29. Big Island Video News.

Big Island residents will be able to view four U.S. Air Force fighter jets Thursday and Friday as the Hawaii Air National Guard conducts training exercises. Tribune-Herald.

The Kona Historical Society on Monday announced a new addition to its Kona Coffee Living History Farm in Captain Cook, a 9-month-old Nightingale by the name of Shizu. West Hawaii Today.

Flights to the mainland, hotel rooms, thousands of dollars worth of meals, rental cars and Uber and Lyft rides are among the hundreds of expenses that state Rep. Kaniela Ing failed to report on his campaign spending reports over the years, according to updated reports he filed over the weekend with the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Sugimura, Starbuck face off for council seat from Upcountry. On Nov. 6, Maui County Council Member Yuki Lei Sugimura will defend her Upcountry residency seat against first-time candidate Hannibal Starbuck. Maui News.

A former Maui police captain will have to register as a sex offender after groping a female sergeant while on the job last year. Hawaii News Now.

Stephen Orikasa, the former Maui Police captain accused of sexually assaulting a fellow officer was sentenced to one year probation Tuesday. He must also pay $810 in fines and was ordered to complete the Hawaii Sex Offender Treatment Program. KITV.

The County of Maui Department of Planning invites the public to review technical resource papers and provide input for the update of the West Maui Community Plan.Maui Now.

West Maui Community Plan technical resource papers, focusing on issues such as housing, water and wastewater, are available for public review and input, the county Department of Planning said. Maui News.

Kauai

County Council candidate: Norma Doctor Sparks. Norma Doctor Sparks has spent a lifetime in public service and she wants to continue down that path, which is why she’s running for Kauai County Council. Garden Island.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative inks energy pact. A Kauai renewable energy project combining solar and pumped storage hydro technology has moved one step further toward completion with the execution of a contract for design, engineering and construction on the facility. Garden Island.

If you use Ke Ala Hele Makalae, Kauai Path wants to hear from you. The nonprofit is conducting an online survey to try and learn what for, how often, and why people use the path by the ocean. Garden Island.

Republican state Rep. Andria Tupola pledged to do more to cope with Hawaii’s crime problem if she is elected governor, while Gov. David Ige used a televised hourlong debate Monday night to stress his record of accomplishment in areas such as building housing and coping with homelessness. Star-Advertiser.Ige, Tupola Spar In Final Debate Before Election Day. The candidates field questions about housing, sea level rise, President Trump and their own running mates for lieutenant governor. Civil Beat.

Here’s how the gubernatorial candidates stand on some of the biggest issues facing Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. David Ige has spent nearly $359,000 on his general election campaign against Republican Andria Tupola so far, and has spent more than $2.88 million on his overall re-election effort, according to his latest report with the state Campaign Spending Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Coffee with a Candidate: Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Ron Curtis. Curtis describes himself as a common sense, moderate, reform Republican. Hawaii News Now.

A Vegas Crooner Faces Long Odds In Quest To Unseat Tulsi Gabbard. Maui Republican Brian Evans switched parties to run against the congresswoman. He says she’s more interested in running for president than serving her district. Civil Beat.

The price of paradise: Hawaii ranks highest in the nation for utility costs.Hawaii News Now.

This week Germany technology takes the spotlight at the University of Hawaii. Denis Salle of the honorary General Counsel is a spark plug behind a conference taking place tomorrow. He has brought together green energy experts from Germany to share their experience and to see how they can help Hawaii reach its energy goals by 2045. Hawaii Public Radio.

RIP Ruth Gates: The World Loses A Top Coral Scientist And ‘Indomitable Spirit’. The University of Hawaii researcher was working on creative ways to preserve the ocean’s dwindling reefs in the face of climate change. She never lost hope. Civil Beat.

Researcher was leading advocate for protecting corals. Ruth Gates, the University of Hawaii-Manoa marine biologist who was a prominent voice in the fight to save the world’s coral reefs, died Thursday following a bout with brain cancer. Star-Advertiser.

Critical shortage of doctors prompting range of solutions. The neighbor islands and parts of rural Oahu are suffering a critical doctor shortage. Whether it's older doctors retiring sooner, or young doctors driven out of Hawaii by high costs or lured by mainland incentives, it's been an uphill battle finding a cure for a physician workforce that's way too small. KHON2.

Hawaii Biotech is going to receive 38 million dollars in federal funding in order to develop a drug to treat anthrax. The money is coming from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to begin pre-clinical studies of a drug for the treatment. KITV.Hawaii Biotech received a five-year $38.5 million contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to develop an anti-toxin drug for anthrax in humans on Monday. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Wednesday will try for a third time to obtain from the Honolulu Planning Commission a favorable recommendation for a draft omnibus bill addressing all things related to short-term vacation rentals, this time with a version that places more stringent limits on the number of bed-and-breakfast establishments and transient vacation units that would be allowed. Star-Advertiser.

Borrowing costs for rail have increased by $42 million, a report states. The cost of borrowing money to finance the Honolulu rail project is climbing despite the injection of nearly $1.2 billion in additional cash from last year’s controversial statewide hotel room tax increase, according to new financial data for the project. Star-Advertiser.

USS Arizona Memorial to be closed on Dec. 7. Survivors of the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor will not be allowed to visit the USS Arizona Memorial this Dec. 7 due to its dock repair project. Star-Advertiser.

USS Arizona Memorial dock expected to be completed by March 2019. The National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on December 7th, will have long passed. KITV.

State House District 40 includes Ewa, Ewa Beach, Ewa Gentry and Iroquois Point in West O’ahu. Incumbent, Bob McDermott, is one of 4 Republicans in the 51-member House of Representatives. Hawaii Public Radio.

Exclusive behind the scenes look inside HPD's 911 call center. The Honolulu Police Department's Communications Division is the largest Public Safety Answering Point in the state. KHON2.

Lawmakers, state agencies host reverse job fair for persons with developmental disabilities. State Legislators and government agencies will host the "Empowering All Abilities" Job Fair on Oct. 30 at the State Capitol, a reverse job fair for persons with developmental disabilities. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Harry Kim announced Monday that the Leilani Estates checkpoint will remain active for at least another month. The checkpoint, which prevents anyone but authorized residents access to Leilani Estates, was scheduled to be removed by the end of October, but will instead continue to operate until the end of November. Tribune-Herald.

Under pressure, Hawaii County officials look to grant lava access. A checkpoint blocking public access to Leilani Estates will remain in place for at least another month while officials search for ways to give visitors a safe and legal way to see the lava field and 300-foot cinder cone left behind from Kilauea Volcano’s most active hot spot, Mayor Harry Kim told the Honolulu Star- Advertiser on Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii County, the birthplace of an actress’ initiative devoted to DNA testing of rape kits, is getting a federal grant to bring in experts to clear out its rape kit backlog. West Hawaii Today.

The state is giving the green light to the last of eight dispensaries to begin growing pakalolo. Lau Ola, run by Big Island farmer Richard Ha, received approval from the Health Department, more than a year after medical marijuana sales started on Maui and Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Kealakehe Intermediate School’s Mathieu Williams named Hawaii Teacher of the Year. The seven-year educator was named the Hawaii State Teacher of the Year Saturday night in Honolulu for his innovative teaching style that demands passion, curiosity and community building from his students. West Hawaii Today.

Trump has Tupola walking a fine line. While Trump is seen as an asset to some mainland campaigns — he has been stumping for his fellow Republicans in places such as Houston and Mesa, Ariz. — political observers say it is a different story in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii GOP’s Best Shot At Winning Something Is A Mililani House Seat. GOP officials desperately want to stop losing seats. They’re already down to five in the 76-member Legislature. Civil Beat.

Air bag requirement removed from safety check inspection. A change in your cars safety check requirement has many people happy and others confused, airbags are no longer needed to pass. KHON2.

One state senator wants to get rid of vehicle safety checks. State Senator Maile Shimabukuro started a petition on moveon.org with a question: "Eliminate or modify state vehicle inspections?" KITV.

Bitcoin could worsen global warming, UH study finds. According to a new study by researchers from University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Geography Department, not only could controversial cryptocurrency bitcoin make a noticeable impact; if adopted on a wide scale, its effects on global climate could be catastrophic. Star-Advertiser.

Why The Effort To Curb School Bullying In Hawaii Isn’t Working. The Department of Education has historically opposed legislation, saying its own policies will be sufficient. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Strike may impact dentists’ return for isle convention. With 16,500 registered attendees and guests wrapping up the state’s largest convention of the year in the middle of a hotel workers strike, the American Dental Association left town without committing to another visit — a booking the Hawaii Convention Center typically counts on for Waikiki. Star-Advertiser.

Hotel strike day 21: Noise still ticking off visitors, though some understand. The ruckus is ruining the vacation for some, but not all. Hawaii News Now.

For the first time since the hotel workers went on strike nearly three weeks ago, both sides are talking. Local business owners say they hope the negotiations end with a resolution. KHON2.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority voted this week to give $500,000 to support next year’s U.S. Conference of Mayors, which will take place in Hawaii for the first time in more than 50 years. Pacific Business News.

Condo tower plans boom around Ala Moana rail site. Around 4,000 or more households could be moving into an already dense but mostly commercial area near Ala Moana Center over the next several years as part of a swelling pipeline of high-rise plans by developers. Star-Advertiser.

New Ewa Beach charter school needs to find a home soon. DreamHouse Ewa Beach just earned a major vote of confidence from the federal government in the form of a $567,804 startup grant, but the new charter school still needs to find a home. Star-Advertiser.

Sea Life Park is embarking on a five- to six-year master plan that involves an estimated $30-million redevelopment — the circa-1964 facility’s most ambitious ever. Star-Advertiser.

A major mess on the side of a Kalihi street finally cleared. Illegal dump site on Halona Street sat in plain view for months. Next to the Halona Street onramp to the H-1 Freeway in Kalihi, an illegal dump site has astounded thousands of drivers daily and outraged neighbors. For months, an abandoned flat bed truck, tree trimmings, broken cement blocks, mounds of waste and even a toilet have been left all out in the open. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Every year, representatives of the state’s four county councils get together to draft a wish list of priorities for the upcoming session of the state Legislature. This year, Honolulu has two proposals, Kauai has five, but Hawaii County has just one request — lifeguards for Kua Bay. West Hawaii Today.

Leilani Estates lawyers up: Association to sue county over access issues. An attorney for the Leilani Estates Community Association says the lava-ravaged subdivision will take Hawaii County to federal court over its response to the Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Lava Recovery Update, Residents Eye New Access Roads. The Puna community is trying to salvage what it can following the destructive eruption of Kilauea, while the volcano remains relatively quiet. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Island’s Agriculture Recovery Challenge. The eruption of Kilauea earlier this year destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes. Lava also swept through more than a thousand acres of farmland. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pepeekeo-based medical cannabis provider Lau Ola, LLC has received a Notice to Proceed from the Hawaii Department of Health, paving the way for the company to provide cannabis medicine to patients on the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

Maui

A presidential-style debate between Maui County mayoral candidates Elle Cochran and Mike Victorino, sponsored by The Maui News and the King Kekaulike National Honor Society, will be held Tuesday at the new King Kekaulike High School Performing Arts Center. Maui News.

Arakawa seeks old council seat. Challenger Kama questions his ability to work with council he calls ‘dysfunctional’. Maui News.

NPS offers plan for Kipahulu overcrowding. The cascading Pools of Oheo and 400-foot Waimoku Falls are among the natural wonders awaiting those willing to brave winding Hana Highway to reach the remote Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park. Star-Advertiser.

Election Day Is Already Over For Almost 80,000 Hawaii Voters. Of the 254,880 mail ballots sent out so far, about 75,000 have been returned. Another 5,000 voters already went to early walk-in polling places. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Named 2nd Least Politically Engaged State. In order to determine which states are most involved in politics, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across ten key indicators of political engagement. Maui Now.

What's in a Name? A lot for OHA Candidates. Name recognition is a factor in any election, but here in Hawaii it is a dominant factor in Office of Hawaiian Affairs races.Hawaii Public Radio.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Rowena Akana testified before the state Ethics Commission on Thursday, saying she was being unfairly singled out as part of an election-year campaign by her rivals to remove her from office. Star-Advertiser.

The Department of Education has begun catching up on payments to vendors after partly restoring a computer system that crashed Oct. 6, officials announced. Star-Advertiser.

DOE pushes through delayed payments to vendors after financial system crash. KHON2.

Preparing Healthcare Providers for Medical Aid in Dying. On January 1st, Hawaii’s Death with Dignity law will go into effect. The law allows terminally ill patients to request a lethal prescription to voluntarily end their lives. Hawaii Public Radio.

It’s nearly November, but Southwest Airlines is still vowing to begin selling tickets between the mainland and Hawaii later this year. Star-Advertiser.

Southwest Airlines’ highly anticipated flights to and between the Hawaiian Islands likely will not begin until the start of 2019 and possibly considerably later. Tribune-Herald.

George Szigeti leaves HTA, replacement still unknown. The Hawaii Tourism Authority has not yet announced its replacement for George Szigeti, who held his last board meeting as CEO on Thursday. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Will Voters Make It Easier For Honolulu Rail Board To Make Decisions? Legislators added nonvoting members for more project scrutiny, but the move made it harder for the board to reach a quorum. Civil Beat.

Honolulu ballots will ask voters 5-part question relating to rail. New Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board members were recently added by the Legislature, but that changed the number of members who have to be there for votes to pass. KHON2.

2,900 acres of Central Oahu will be preserved by the state. The state has acquired nearly 2,900 acres of land in Central Oahu from Dole Food Co., closing on a $15.2 million deal that conservation officials say will help protect a critical watershed, open up the area to recreation and stave off potential development. Star-Advertiser.

State acquires thousands of acres in Central Oahu for wildlife, recreation. The state is now the new owner of nearly 2,900 acres of land in Central Oahu. KHON2.

Hawaii, Trust for Public Land acquire former Dole land for $15M. The state of Hawaii and the Trust for Public Land have closed on the acquisition of 2,882 acres of forest and fallow lands near the Helemano Military Reservation in Central Oahu from the Dole Food Co. Pacific Business News.

After years of complaints and $1M in fines, homeowner just keeps operating illegal vacation rental. A six-bedroom house near Kailua Beach that’s illegally operating as a vacation rental has accrued more than $1 million in unpaid city fines. Hawaii News Now.

Appraisals for Kealohas' seized Hawaii Kai home come in under what they paid for it. The home is in the foreclosure process as the couple battle legal trouble. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kilauea remains No. 1 on a list of volcanoes in the U.S. categorized as a very high threat for 2018, according to a report released this week by the U.S. Geological Survey. Associated Press.

Kilauea may be quiet, but it’s anything but dormant. In fact, a new USGS report gives Kilauea the highest threat assessment among volcanoes in the United States. Hawaii News Now.

Volcano House back in operation following Kilauea eruption. Volcano House Hotel resumes its restaurant service tonight after months of closure following the Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

County to extend comment period for Pahala sewer plant. Hawaii County plans to resubmit its draft environmental assessment for a Pahala wastewater treatment plant to allow for more public comments. Tribune-Herald.

Nearly $280,000 in rent owed to the state by Cellana Inc. will be repaid as part of the sale of the company’s assets to microalgae producer Cyanotech Corp. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor files ethics complaint against Council Member Atay. Complaint alleges improper use of county email in a ‘political attack’. Maui News.

Early walk-in voting began Tuesday at the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center in Wailuku. County Clerk Danny Mateo said about 400 people came through to cast ballots Tuesday. Maui News.

The Hawaii Farmers Union United will host their eighth annual HFUU Conference from Oct. 26 to Oct. 28 at Okoa Farms in Kula. Maui Now.

Maui gas prices have risen once again this week by a margin of one cent; however, prices are up from last month by eight cents, and up from last year by 66 cents. In Kahului, the average price is $4.16. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Community College students met mayoral candidates Derek Kawakami and Mel Rapozo Monday at a candidate forum hosted by student government and the History Club. Garden Island.

Rebalancing Kauai. With nature and infrastructure overwhelmed and record-breaking visitor numbers, state and county officials are looking for balance on Kauai. Garden Island.

County Council candidate: Felicia Cowden. Cowden ran for council in 2014 and has been going to the weekly meetings for well over four years. Garden Island.

Lanai

Council veteran Hokama faces coalition-backed opponent. Maui Pono Network support for challenger figures in Lanai council race. As he seeks re-election to his fifth consecutive term on the Maui County Council, Riki Hokama said he hopes to spend the next two years working on some priority projects for his home island of Lanai. Maui News.

The Honolulu Zoo announced that Nairobi, a 21-year-old male giraffe, died this morning from complications due to old age. Star-Advertiser.

Senate Judiciary Committee: Friendship Is Not Disqualification. Keith Hiraoka, Governor David Ige’s nominee for the Intermediate Court of Appeals faced members of the Senate Wednesday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawyer tells commission about many complaints over trustee. A former Office of Hawaiian Affairs attorney testified Wednesday that at one time there were so many employee harassment and abuse complaints against Trustee Rowena Akana, officials were worried about a cascade of lawsuits. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Tax System Places Larger Burden on Low Income Residents. Low-income residents in Hawaii are paying a higher share of their income in taxes than higher level earners. That is the conclusion of a recent report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy titled Who Pays? Hawaii Public Radio.

Emergency Help For Hawaii’s Mentally Ill Is Often A Revolving Door. Hundreds of people taken by police to the hospital for psychiatric care go on to repeated hospitalizations or brushes with the law. Civil Beat.

Kahoolawe’s shorelines aren’t as pristine as you might think. The Greenpeace crew discovered just how polluted it really is. Greenpeace staff and volunteers are back in Honolulu with two and a half tons of plastic pollution collected from the shorelines around Kahoolawe. Hawaii News Now.

United Airlines kitchen employees vote to join Unite Here. Kitchen employees in five United Airlines cities, including Honolulu, have voted to unionize with Unite Here, adding 2,700 workers to the union. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

City scrambles to find $44M for rail as feds hold firm on deadline. Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration and the Honolulu City Council are scrambling to find ways to provide $44 million in city funds by next month to help finance the Honolulu rail project. Star-Advertiser.

Feds To City: Show Us The Rail Money Now. Honolulu will need to come up with $44 million by Nov. 20 — and a good-faith effort to eventually issue bonds for those dollars next year won’t cut it. Civil Beat.

In less than a month, the city needs to find $44M for rail. A deadline has been set by the federal government. Hawaii News Now.

The Federal Transit Administration is not budging on its deadline for the City and County of Honolulu to fund the rail project. The FTA declared Wednesday that the City must come up with 44 million dollars by November 20th or risk losing some or all of its federal funding. KITV.

Mayor urges passage of bill to fund rail through property tax. Mayor Kirk Caldwell is pushing the city council to act quickly to fund Honolulu's rail project. KHON2.

Rail draft plan reveals potential cost-cutting measures. The rail authority expects to collect $188 million more in taxes than previously projected to help finance the Honolulu rail project, but the city is still making plans to cut costs if necessary, including possibly deferring construction of the $315 million Pearl Highlands Parking Structure and Transit Center. Star-Advertiser.

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Two More Condo Towers Proposed Near Ala Moana Center. Developers continue to seek special permits for building near rail stations that allow taller, denser structures. Civil Beat.

A landowner plans to develop nearly 1,000 moderately priced condo units on Keeaumoku Street and is offering public benefits including a bigger park in return for letting two towers rise 50 feet beyond the current limit. Star-Advertiser.

A company that developed the pair of oval Moana Pacific condominium towers on Kapiolani Boulevard has bought more land on the same street for redevelopment. Star-Advertiser.

What Caused This North Shore Cliff To Collapse? Since boulders fell into the sea at Laie Point, the city has issued a notice of violation for installation of a hot tub, fish pond and stone fire pit at the site. Civil Beat.

Chevron to settlement will fund $300K in gear for Honolulu emergency responders. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday a national settlement with Chevron U.S.A. Inc. for violations of the Clean Air Act that will fund about $300,000 in equipment for the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Representative behind Waikola development commits to following through with project. A representative for the developer behind a planned 398-lot residential subdivision in South Kohala repeatedly committed on Wednesday to completing the project that has gone undeveloped for the past decade. West Hawaii Today.

Feral cats, other animals, a problem at transfer stations. Hawaii County garbage transfer stations are going to the dogs. But especially the cats. Not to mention the pigs, the goats and the chickens. West Hawaii Today.

The Hawaii County Game Management Advisory Commission provided an update on the effort to locate and develop a shooting range on the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

State Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers are asking for the public’s help identifying two men wanted for questioning in connection with the recent poisoning of several East Hawaii streams on the Big Island. West Hawaii Today.

When 2019 begins, so too will a new law authorizing health care providers to supply terminally ill patients with life-ending medication. To prepare residents and health care providers for the new law, Compassion and Choices Hawaii — a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about end-of-life options — hosted a series of presentations around the Big Island this week. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Candidates have history with seat they are seeking. The two candidates vying for the Makawao, Haiku, Paia residency seat on the Maui County Council are no strangers to the office being vacated by council Chairman Mike White, who is retiring. Maui News.

Permit hearing for Haiku zipline to resume Dec. 11. The Maui Planning Commission recessed a hearing for a Haiku zipline company on Tuesday, to the audible groans of neighbors seeking an end to the zipline’s operations. Maui News.

Kauai

Affordable housing targeted. The County Council gave a green light to the county clerk to sign documents to accept a loan that will improve the infrastructure for phase one of the Lima Ola affordable housing community in Eleele. Garden Island.

County Council candidate: Mason Chock. After five years in office, some politicians become disillusioned or complacent. Incumbent Mason Chock, though, retains his sense of humor, drive and self-reflective humility. Garden Island.

Mayor Caldwell questions city council’s decision to relocate from Honolulu Hale to new million-dollar digs. The city council approved funding for one year’s rent at Alii Tower in downtown. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is trying to stop city council members from spending more than a million dollars to move from Honolulu Hale to a high-end downtown office building. Hawaii News Now.

Health concerns prompt city council's proposal to move out of Honolulu Hale. Council members tell us their portion of the building has been making employees sick. KHON2.

A federal judge moved the start date of the bank fraud trial against former Honolulu Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, and her husband, former Chief of Police in Honolulu Louis Kealoha to 2019 because of an undisclosed medical condition. KITV.

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Elected officials from Hawaii, California, and Alaska gathered at the White House for a 'State Leadership Day' event. KITV.

Kamehameha pays $65 million as part of settlement of sex abuse lawsuit. Kamehameha Schools has taken a major step to close one of the most tumultuous chapters in its long and storied history, paying $65 million to 32 plaintiffs who sued the institution for the sexual abuse they suffered decades ago at the hands of a psychiatric consultant. Star-Advertiser.

As early voting begins, Tupola, Ige point out distinct differences in opinions. The two are preparing for the General Election on Nov. 6. Hawaii News Now.

Gabbard Spending A Lot Of Campaign Cash, But Not All Of It In Hawaii. The congresswoman is hiring well-known national consultants despite having an easy path to re-election. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Airlines' net up 31% after 'eventful' quarter. Two hurricanes in Hawaii, a typhoon in Japan, lingering impacts from the Kilauea eruption and rising fuel costs didn’t prevent Hawaiian Holdings Inc. from carrying the most passengers of any third quarter ever or achieving a solid financial performance. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Holdings Inc., the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, reported a 30.6 percent increase in earnings to $93.5 million in the third quarter of 2018, bolstered by a 6 percent increase in revenue to $759 million. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

City is on track repaving roads islandwide, Caldwell says. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Tuesday announced that more than 2,000 lane miles of roads in Honolulu have been repaved over the last five years and that fixing the city’s roads and potholes remains a high priority. Star-Advertiser.

Caldwell: City is exceeding road repaving goals, despite recent ranking. About 2,000 lane miles have been repaved at lower costs, the mayor says. Hawaii News Now.

The city says it's ahead of schedule when it comes to fixing the island's roads. So far, the city has repaved 2,000 lane miles and filled over 16,000 potholes. KHON2.

Mayor Caldwell claims the City has repaved more than 2,000 lane miles on Oahu. KITV.

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Honolulu Councilman blames mayor for stalling beach access plan. Efforts to secure a small lane for public access to a beach off Portlock Road have been stalled by Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration, and City Councilman Trevor Ozawa, who represents the area, is questioning whether election-year politics is to blame. Star-Advertiser.

Early Walk-In Voting started today across the state. Twenty people were waiting in line at Honolulu Hale when the polling station opened at 8am. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kapolei Public Library closed until further notice after pipe bursts, floods first floor. Officials say an air conditioning cooling pipe burst, causing water to spill from the ceiling onto the building's first floor. KHON2.

Queen’s to expand services in West Oahu. The Queen’s Health Systems is planning an expansion that will double the amount of facilities at its West Oahu campus. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s largest wind farm has come up with a new proposal to offset, and hopefully reduce, killings of endangered Hawaiian hoary bats. Star-Advertiser.

Helicopter removed from Kaneohe Bay, NTSB investigating crash. The tour helicopter that went down in Kaneohe Bay Monday afternoon has been pulled from the water, though what exactly happened remains under investigation. KHON2.

The FAA and NTSB are continuing an investigation into what caused a tour helicopter to crash near the Kaneohe Bay sandbar on Monday afternoon, seriously injuring three people on board. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Visitor numbers down for the fourth month in a row. The impact of the Kilauea eruption on the Big Island’s tourism industry continues to be felt as official tourism data from September indicates a fourth consecutive month of declining hotel visits. Tribune-Herald.

Residents invited to get to know Innergex. A Canadian-based renewable energy company will host a community meeting next week in Waimea about its proposed solar project on Parker Ranch land. Tribune-Herald.

David De Luz Sr. remembered by friends, family. Prominent Big Island businessman David De Luz Sr. is being remembered by those who knew him as a role model and self-made entrepreneur who worked hard to achieve success. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Should Unlicensed Airbnbs On Maui Face A $20,000 Fine? Voters will decide whether to amend the county charter to crack down on the proliferation of vacation rentals. Civil Beat.

West Maui Taxpayers Association to Host 2018 Candidates Night. The WMTA Candidates Night, the only forum of its kind in West Maui, and will feature the candidates for State Senator District 06, State Representative District 10, Maui mayor and Maui County Councilmembers—all districts. Maui Now.

Paltin, Nava face off in general election. In what is arguably one of the most closely watched County Council races this election cycle, Tamara Paltin and Rick Nava hope to fill the West Maui residency seat soon to be vacated by Elle Cochran, who is running for mayor. Maui News.

Kihei Charter School Opens in Permanent Location. After 18-years, Kihei Charter School has finally found a permanent home at the top of Līpoa Parkway in Kihei within the Maui Research and Technology Park. Maui Now.

Kauai

County Council Candidate: Juno Apalla. When it comes to vision, Juno Apalla strives for efficiency. Garden Island.

DHHL boots CrossFit from building. Organizers of the free community gym in Anahola are getting their ducks in a row after being kicked out of their space in an old church because they didn’t have proper permits. Garden Island.

Ige, Tupola weigh in on what’s next after the constitutional amendment. Gubernatorial candidates discuss how to fund Hawaii’s public schools. Hawaii News Now.

With ConAm Invalidated, Supporters And Opponents Ponder Next Moves. If Hawaii is going to spend more on public education, it’s unclear where the money will come from. Civil Beat.

State Leaders Will Look for More Public School Funding. State leaders, educators and community supporters came out today to call for additional funding for public education. Hawaii Public Radio.

Education advocates scramble to find public school funding after constitutional amendment blocked. After the Hawaii Supreme Court blocked a controversial proposal that would’ve raised investment property taxes to help fund public schools, education advocates are now scrambling for a “Plan B.” Hawaii News Now.

It's back to the drawing board on how the state can generate more money for public school education. Now that the constitutional amendment question has been invalidated by the Supreme Court, both sides of the argument are planning for the future. KHON2.

Hawaii Teacher Salaries Not Enough to Buy a Home. Average teacher salary in Hawaii is $59,250. Maui Now.

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Gun Crimes Are Rising In Hawaii, But Still Below Historic Levels. Violent crimes involving firearms have risen 24 percent in the last four years. Many of the guns, prosecutors say, were stolen. Civil Beat.

This Remote Hawaiian Island Just Vanished. Scientists are concerned about what will happen to the hundreds of endangered species that once called East Island home. Civil Beat.

Is Rowena Akana’s Political Career On The Line? The longest-serving OHA trustee is on trial for allegations of ethics violations while also waging a re-election fight. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Hawaii Gov. David Ige and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell told striking hotel workers during a meeting at the state Capitol today that they would not cross the picket line and have urged their hotel managers and owners to resume bargaining. Star-Advertiser.

2,700 hotel workers in Waikiki and Maui continue to picket on the 15th day of their strike for better wages and job security. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Hawaiian Electric to replace 1,200 meters after overheating reported. Hawaiian Electric is notifying commercial customers about a potential hazard that relates to a particular brand of electric meter installed at businesses on Oahu. KHON2.

University of Hawaii officials said they have been unfairly blamed as the reason for another state agency abruptly shifting plans for a veterans home to a historic site in Aiea that has rankled some community members. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply seeks bids to redevelop its downtown site. Oahu’s public water utility is making a second attempt at generating extra revenue by offering up part of its headquarters near downtown Honolulu for redevelopment, and a consultant suggests that senior housing and parking are most likely. Star-Advertiser.

Turtle Bay, which is owned by Blackstone and managed by Benchmark Resorts & Hotels, is gearing up for its plan to add about 750 units — a lengthy build-out that will cost hundreds of millions of dollars and increase the workforce to 1,100 from 650. Star-Advertiser.

2 separate wastewater spills impacts Keehi Lagoon, Ala Wai Canal. The public is urged to stay out of the water. Hawaii News Now.

Investigation continues into cause of tour helicopter crash at Kaneohe Bay sandbar. The pilot is believed to have suffered a medical emergency during flight. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

A month after reopening, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park seeing daily visitor numbers ‘on par’ with those from this time last year. Park spokeswoman Jessica Ferracane said the number of visitors to the park consistently has remained at about 2,000 visitors daily, with boosts on cruise ship days. Tribune-Herald.

A Naalehu resident has sued two county officials over plans to build sewer plants in Naalehu and Pahala. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Water Supply VS. Water Sustainability. A closer look at the proposal to dismantle the Department of Water Supply and create a Department of Water Sustainability. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Island remembers Earl Bakken as an innovator, philanthropist. As an electrical engineer who made groundbreaking technological advancements in the field of medicine, Dr. Earl Bakken saved, prolonged and changed lives. As a prolific philanthropist, particularly on Hawaii Island, he improved them. West Hawaii Today.

Earl Elmer Bakken, inventor of the first wearable, battery-powered pacemaker and co-founder of Medtronic Inc., embraced his motto of “live on, give on, dream on” when he moved to Hawaii in 1989. Star-Advertiser.

Earl Bakken, the electrical engineer, entrepreneur and philanthropist who invented the first wearable heart pacemaker, has died at his Hawaii home. He was 94. Pacific Business News.

Treasurer of Maui Youth Soccer League accused of forging $180,000 worth of checks. According to prosecutors, the 57-year-old wrote fraudulent checks payable to himself from the HYSA bank account, then deposited the money into his personal account. KITV.

The Maui County Department of Water Supply will switch the distribution system disinfectant in the Upper Kula water system from chloramines to chlorine for approximately four to eight weeks beginning on Oct. 30. Maui Now.

Kauai

County Council Candidate: Luke Evslin. Within five minutes of conversation with County Council candidate Luke Evslin, it is obvious that he is a man who understands system interconnectedness. Garden Island.

Residents in Anahola, Lihue, Kapaa and Waimea received letters over the weekend urging them to list their homes on the homestay website Vacation Rental by Owner — but operating transient vacation rentals in those areas is illegal. Garden Island.

Kauai condemns mailers that urge homeowners to get into vacation rental business. In the mass mailers, VRBO promised homeowners $1,000 in income for January. Hawaii News Now.

Monday, October 22, 2018

Walk-in absentee voting for the general election begins Tuesday and runs through Nov. 3. Registered voters are allowed to visit any early walk-in voting location in their county to cast their ballot. Star-Advertiser.

Does Hawaii Need a Constitutional Convention? Every 10 years Hawaii voters are required to decide whether or not to call for a convention to amend the state constitution. A Constitutional Convention, or ConCon, hasn’t happened in Hawaii since 1978. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Hawaii Supreme Court on Friday threw off the November ballot a proposed constitutional amendment that would have established a surcharge on investment property to help fund public education. Associated Press.

Democrat Ed Case and Republican Cam Cavasso squared off with the general election just around the corner. It was a lively showdown between two candidates hoping to earn a seat on Capitol Hill. Hawaii News Now.

Who’s Who On The Ballot For The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs. Up for grabs are three OHA at-large seats, as well as seats representing Maui and Oahu. Civil Beat.

Marriott, Kyo-ya to meet with hotel workers union over contract negotiations. About 2,700 Hawaii union hotel workers have been on strike since Oct. 8 after negotiating for higher wages, better benefits and job security. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Time is running out to resolve a series of disputes between the Hawaii State Auditor and staff at the Honolulu rail project, and that time crunch may limit how much the public will learn about what has gone wrong with rail. Star-Advertiser.

Former city Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha is faking an illness to delay her trial next month on multiple counts of bank fraud, according to federal prosecutors. Star-Advertiser.

Community and federal government in conflict over opposing plans for Aiea site. The state is trying to fast-track plans to develop a $70 million veterans home mostly funded by the federal government, but a last-minute decision on where to build the facility has created a backlash. Star-Advertiser.

Ag survey reports nearly $28M in damages caused by eruption. Fewer than 50 Big Island farmers reported nearly $28 million in total agricultural damages in a survey of farmers affected by the Kilauea eruption published last week. Tribune-Herald.

Bulldozing begins on Highway 137; temporary road over lava rock to be used by landowners, area residents first. Tribune-Herald.

Salary Commission finds setting salaries a tricky business. Among their ranks are a physician, a retired stockbroker, two engineers and a tax manager. Four of the eight are former government employees and one works for a consulting firm doing business with the county. West Hawaii Today.

A series of free presentations planned around the Big Island intend to educate residents and health care professionals about medically assisted death in the “Our Care, Our Choice” Act, which goes into effect Jan. 1. Tribune-Herald.

Trashing tires tiresome for county. Hawaii County doesn’t consider tires rubbish, but that hasn’t stopped residents from abandoning them on roadsides or dropping them off at transfer stations in defiance of official policy. West Hawaii Today.

Small farm homesteads are planned for a former sugar plantation site. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands wants to reduce a backlog of beneficiaries waiting for homesteads by offering a new kind of land lease: small farm sites. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Mayoral candidates give preview of administrations. In the lead-up to the Nov. 6 Election Day showdown, mayoral candidates Elle Cochran and Mike Victorino have dished on issues ranging from housing to agriculture to tourism and the economy. Maui News.

Hawaii’s only farmer serving as a lawmaker at the state Capitol is questioning Gov. David Ige’s pledge to double local food production by 2020, and Rep. Lynn DeCoite believes legislators should be shifting more taxpayer dollars from tourism into agriculture, which makes up less than 1 percent of the state’s total budget. Maui News.

An activity center with ziplines, a giant swing, tightropes and other challenges is being proposed for a portion of the former Experience at Koele Golf Course on Lanai. Maui News.

Kauai

In Kauai Mayor’s Race, Rapozo Faces Uphill Battle Against Kawakami. The County Council chairman looks for a turnaround after being significantly outpolled by the former state representative in the primary. Civil Beat.

The Elections Division of the Office of the County Clerk will begin offering late voter registration and early voting services in the basement of the Historic County Annex this week. Garden Island.

An abandoned Kauai church that transformed into a gym this June helped youth stay off of drugs and out of trouble; but without the proper permits, the facility had to shut down. Hawaii News Now.

And then there were 6. It was feeding time at the predator-proof nesting area on Kauai’s North Shore, but one of the Newell’s shearwater (‘a‘o) chicks didn’t show up for breakfast. Garden Island.

About Me

Nancy Cook Lauer has more than 25 years experience as a journalist, winning national and state awards for newspapers in Florida and Hawaii. She publishes a daily state government news aggregate and commentary blog, All Hawaii News. Vice President of the Hawaii SPJ chapter as well as former president of the Big Island Press Club, Lauer has a Master of Science degree in Library and Information Studies from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, summa cum laude, from Old Dominion University. She earned her reporting chops covering the 2000 Bush v. Gore presidential election at Florida's ground zero and was recently honored with a Torch of Light award and a Hawaii state Senate commendation for uncovering questionable spending practices in local government.

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